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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 13:04:00
Hi to all,
I've been visiting this site for over 2 months, most of the time crying while reading what sounds like my very own thoughts & feelings. I was on Paxil for a little over a year: it lifted the black cloud of depression, helped me gain 55 lbs, lose all sexual feelings, just to name the major stuff.To make a long story short, I decided to quit, gradually. I started 6 weeks ago - cut my 20mg pill in quarters - took 3/4 for 3 weeks, 1/2 for 2 weeks, then 1/4 for 5 days. My last of the "pink pill" was Monday, 3/12.
Yeowy! It started to really hit hard Thursday - nausea, insomnia (terrible dreams too), sweating, headache, ringing in my ears, and what feels like my brain sloshing around when I move my eyes. This weird sort-of dizziness is what is keeping me home from work. It's a tad bit better today, but will it go away?
The thought of ever taking another drug makes me shudder. I'm trying not to be mad at myself. I'm trying to tell myself it's like being in labor: (mine were 52, 20, 36 hrs) it'll be over soon, and it'll be worth it. I'm so emotional right now. I'm trying to remember this will go away - but when??? Have you been through this?
Another thought that has been in my head constantly is for every action there is a reaction. Do you agree?
I'd really like to share more of my thoughts & feeling with any of you who care - I'd really like to help anyone as best I can too.
Garlin
Posted by Crystal on March 19, 2001, at 14:17:53
In reply to Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 13:04:00
Hi,
I quit paxil (40mg) cold turkey around thanksgiving, due to weight gain, and I totally understand what you are saying. My nausea kept me home from work. It did seem to last for 2 weeks, but does go away. I thought there was something seriously wrong but it does go away. Are switching to anything else? It is amazing how so many other feel the same way and you never knew that other people thought or felt the same things. It is relieving. hang in there and feel free to write.
crystal
> Hi to all,
> I've been visiting this site for over 2 months, most of the time crying while reading what sounds like my very own thoughts & feelings. I was on Paxil for a little over a year: it lifted the black cloud of depression, helped me gain 55 lbs, lose all sexual feelings, just to name the major stuff.
>
> To make a long story short, I decided to quit, gradually. I started 6 weeks ago - cut my 20mg pill in quarters - took 3/4 for 3 weeks, 1/2 for 2 weeks, then 1/4 for 5 days. My last of the "pink pill" was Monday, 3/12.
>
> Yeowy! It started to really hit hard Thursday - nausea, insomnia (terrible dreams too), sweating, headache, ringing in my ears, and what feels like my brain sloshing around when I move my eyes. This weird sort-of dizziness is what is keeping me home from work. It's a tad bit better today, but will it go away?
>
> The thought of ever taking another drug makes me shudder. I'm trying not to be mad at myself. I'm trying to tell myself it's like being in labor: (mine were 52, 20, 36 hrs) it'll be over soon, and it'll be worth it. I'm so emotional right now. I'm trying to remember this will go away - but when??? Have you been through this?
>
> Another thought that has been in my head constantly is for every action there is a reaction. Do you agree?
>
> I'd really like to share more of my thoughts & feeling with any of you who care - I'd really like to help anyone as best I can too.
>
> Garlin
Posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 15:11:39
In reply to Re: Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by Crystal on March 19, 2001, at 14:17:53
Crystal,
Thank you very much for listening!
No, I haven't switched to something else. My first thought was to check out St. John's Wort to see if it would be a good replacement. An excellant site for info on that is sjwinfo.org. But I reasoned that is the same thing: action/reaction. I don't want to do anything else to my brain right now. And I've decided to quit coffee because it makes these dizzy symptoms even worse.
Did you switch to another med? Has it helped? Have you had the weight gain?
Thank you again,
Garlin
Posted by Crystal on March 19, 2001, at 15:56:33
In reply to Re: Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 15:11:39
Garlin,
I did switch to serezone for a couple months and it did not agree with me. I was a witch and it didn't help me; the depression came back. Now i am on prozac with improvement. I lost around twenty pounds so far but I haven't been eating normally either. I am hanging in there, at least it is getting a little easier everyday.
I love this website. It has been so helpful for me and educational. If the dr tries to give me something I head here to look up info on it. Nothing better than personal experiences not text book.
Good luck to you with st johns wart. I hope it will be enough to keep your spirits up. But if you feel you are starting to fall don't be afraid to try the SSRI's again
crystal> Crystal,
>
> Thank you very much for listening!
>
> No, I haven't switched to something else. My first thought was to check out St. John's Wort to see if it would be a good replacement. An excellant site for info on that is sjwinfo.org. But I reasoned that is the same thing: action/reaction. I don't want to do anything else to my brain right now. And I've decided to quit coffee because it makes these dizzy symptoms even worse.
>
> Did you switch to another med? Has it helped? Have you had the weight gain?
>
> Thank you again,
> Garlin
Posted by TomV on March 19, 2001, at 21:27:09
In reply to Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 13:04:00
> Hi to all,
> I've been visiting this site for over 2 months, most of the time crying while reading what sounds like my very own thoughts & feelings. I was on Paxil for a little over a year: it lifted the black cloud of depression, helped me gain 55 lbs, lose all sexual feelings, just to name the major stuff.
>
> To make a long story short, I decided to quit, gradually. I started 6 weeks ago - cut my 20mg pill in quarters - took 3/4 for 3 weeks, 1/2 for 2 weeks, then 1/4 for 5 days. My last of the "pink pill" was Monday, 3/12.
>
> Yeowy! It started to really hit hard Thursday - nausea, insomnia (terrible dreams too), sweating, headache, ringing in my ears, and what feels like my brain sloshing around when I move my eyes. This weird sort-of dizziness is what is keeping me home from work. It's a tad bit better today, but will it go away?
>
> The thought of ever taking another drug makes me shudder. I'm trying not to be mad at myself. I'm trying to tell myself it's like being in labor: (mine were 52, 20, 36 hrs) it'll be over soon, and it'll be worth it. I'm so emotional right now. I'm trying to remember this will go away - but when??? Have you been through this?
>
> Another thought that has been in my head constantly is for every action there is a reaction. Do you agree?
>
> I'd really like to share more of my thoughts & feeling with any of you who care - I'd really like to help anyone as best I can too.
>
> Garlin3 Things...
1)Paxil is notorious for nasty withdrawl. Maybe 6 weeks was too quick (as kooky as that sounds).
2)When I was suffering all kinds of nasty withdrawl symptoms (like yours) I took some xanax (.5mg - 1 mg per day). It really took the edge off of the misery. It can be addictive if you take it for too long (which depends on the individual), but it can really help in the short term.
3) Have you ever considered trying SAMe? I tried all the "natural" remedies and SAMe works the best for me. It's more expensive than alot of the other natural products, but it has almost no side effects. If it's the right thing you'll be more than happy. You can get it cheapest at the Wholesale dealers (Costco, BJs , Sams Club).
TomV
Posted by garlin on March 20, 2001, at 8:48:17
In reply to Re: Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW? » garlin, posted by TomV on March 19, 2001, at 21:27:09
> > Garlin
>
> 3 Things...
>
> 1)Paxil is notorious for nasty withdrawl. Maybe 6 weeks was too quick (as kooky as that sounds).
>
> 2)When I was suffering all kinds of nasty withdrawl symptoms (like yours) I took some xanax (.5mg - 1 mg per day). It really took the edge off of the misery. It can be addictive if you take it for too long (which depends on the individual), but it can really help in the short term.
>
> 3) Have you ever considered trying SAMe? I tried all the "natural" remedies and SAMe works the best for me. It's more expensive than alot of the other natural products, but it has almost no side effects. If it's the right thing you'll be more than happy. You can get it cheapest at the Wholesale dealers (Costco, BJs , Sams Club).
>
> TomV
Tom,The first thing I've done is look up info on SAMe. As soon as my husband gets home from work we're going to Sam's Club to buy some. (I still don't feel I can go to work, so here I am!)
My doctor feels I should get a cat scan & try some other drug - you know, the same ole "it can't be from the paxil" stuff. Good grief, I will never understand most doctors. I will get better. That's a fact. And most importantly it's because of people like you & Crystal & all the other people's stories I've read.
Thank you for caring -
Garlin
Posted by Christina on March 23, 2001, at 7:58:01
In reply to Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by garlin on March 19, 2001, at 13:04:00
I've been on AD/mood stabilizer cocktails for nearly 6 years. Currently I am taking Celexa and I'm down from 40 mgs/day with Lithium to just 10 mgs of Celexa every other day.
I didn't take Celexa yesterday, so I am on Day 3 without meds.
I have decided to go off all psych meds because of terrible side effects.. namely a foggy brain, low motivation, an extra 40 pounds, and the fear that I am missing out on my life.I think the withdraw side side effects are fairly similar for most ADs. My most debilitating side effect from withdrawal is the "sloshing brain" syndrome and dizziness. The nausea subsided rather quickly, and I still have some minor "brain shocks."
Can anyone tell me about how long it will take for these to subside as well.
In my experience, I know that decreasing one AD while adding another helps... but I want to be Drug Free!I like the suggestion of adding Vitamin B. I"ll try that.
What about exercizing..like running? Has this helped anyone?Any advise would be welcomed.
Posted by Kimba on April 6, 2001, at 15:52:38
In reply to Re: Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by garlin on March 20, 2001, at 8:48:17
Yes. Even cutting from 10 mg to 5 mg I got the "sloshing brain" feeling. (I haven't been able to figure out how to describe it til now - it isn't your ordinary dizziness) I've been off completely for about 4 days. I've also been nauseated and had terrible headaches every day. I too found I could not tolerate my AM coffee since I went off. Did you see the posts about taking a few doses of prozac? I didn't hear about it until too late but it sounds like it might have been effective.
Hang in there.
Posted by Pattisun on July 3, 2001, at 2:02:57
In reply to Re: Is anyone going through Paxil withdrawl RIGHT NOW?, posted by Crystal on March 19, 2001, at 14:17:53
> Hi Garlin,
I am wanting to quit Paxil after 5 years. I just need to do something else. I am SOOOOO scared.
Let me know how you are doing now, okay?
Thanks,
Patti
> I quit paxil (40mg) cold turkey around thanksgiving, due to weight gain, and I totally understand what you are saying. .........
> > I'd really like to share more of my thoughts & feeling with any of you who care - I'd really like to help anyone as best I can too.
> >
> > Garlin
This is the end of the thread.
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